Catering Sales Manager

The Crowne Plaza Arlington is undergoing a significant transformation to become part of Marriott's Tribute Portfolio, an upper-upscale boutique hotel brand. The project will enhance guest rooms, common areas, and meeting spaces, adding a Texas-inspired boutique feel to the property. Once completed, the hotel will offer 14,000 square feet of meeting space and align with Marriott's luxury lifestyle standards.

This move is expected to boost Arlington's appeal for conventions and visitors while expanding its portfolio of upscale accommodations. If you're driven, passionate, and ready to contribute to our growing success, we invite you to be part of our team. Let's build the future together!

Job Summary: Catering Sales Manager

The Catering Sales Manager is responsible for overseeing the planning and execution of meetings, events, and receptions from first interaction through successful completion. This role is focused on exceeding client expectations, ensuring contractual obligations are met, and maximizing revenue through the sale of catering services and event spaces.

Key responsibilities include managing all administrative functions related to event planning, maintaining accurate and timely communication between the sales and operations teams, and ensuring event details are properly documented in the sales event management software. The Catering Sales Manager serves as a liaison to ensure all departments (food & beverage, banquet staff, and other operational teams) are well-informed and aligned for each event.

The ideal candidate is an independent, proactive and detail-oriented professional with strong sales acumen, excellent organizational skills, and a commitment to delivering outstanding customer service. Managing client expectations and collaborating with internal team is essential to guarantee seamless event execution and client satisfaction.

The Catering Sales Manager reports directly to the Director of Sales &
Marketing and the General Manager.

Quialifications:

• College course work in related field helpful
• Experience in a hotel preferred.
• Marriott Experience would be welcomed
• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• Must be proficient in Windows Operating Systems Company approved spreadsheets and word processing.
• Must be able to convey information and ideas clearly and succinctly.
• Must be able to evaluate and select among alternative courses of action quickly and accurately.
• Must work well in stressful high-pressure situations.
• Must have the ability to assimilate complex information data etc. from disparate sources and consider adjusting or modifying to meet the constraints of the particular need.
• Must be effective at listening to understanding and clarifying the concerns and issues raised by co- workers and guests.
• Must be able to work with and understand financial information and data and basic arithmetic functions.
• Must maintain composure and objectivity under pressure.

Responsiblities:

• Primary focus for this role will entail servicing all Local Events (Gala's, Weddings, Fundraisers, Day Meetings) with the opportunity to assist the corporate event programs
• Organize bookings from date of booking to departure, including meeting requirements, guest room requirements, guest room pickup, food and beverage, and audio visual.
• Create detailed floor plans, resumes, and banquet event orders for seamless execution of programs.
• Conduct memorable pre-planning tours, pre/post pre-conferences, and tastings.
• Engage and encourage team members by being a role-model.
• Establish and maintain a rapport with all clientele and internal hoteliers
• Flexible Schedule which includes working events on evenings and weekends as needed.
• Effectively handle multiple programs and ensure the successful completion of all job duties
• Phone client and maintain effective communication throughout planning and while on site make them comfortable to call your cell phone.
• Maintain complete knowledge of and comply with all departmental policies/service procedures/standards
• Anticipate guests’ needs, respond promptly and acknowledge all guests
• Maintain positive guest and colleague relations at all times
• Be familiar with all hotel services/features and local attractions/activities to respond to guest inquiries
• Resolve guest complaints, ensuring guest satisfaction
• Ensure appropriate upselling opportunities are taken to maximize revenue potential
• Daily scheduled group functions, times, locations, amount of people and specified requirements
• Understand the location of all hotel function space and names of function rooms
• Understand all styles of meeting and banquet room sets and banquet room capacities
• Create and organize Banquet Event Orders (B.E.O.'s) according to departmental standards
• Document daily set-up requirements according to departmental procedures / attach respective diagrams
• Inspect pre-set scheduled function areas/rooms for cleanliness, working condition, recognize and communicate any room blemishes or imperfections. Ensure proper furniture/equipment set up; rectify any deficiencies with respective departments
• Monitor and ensure that functions are set up, refreshed and broken down in compliance with scheduled times and departmental procedures
• Conduct pre-function meeting and review all information pertinent to set-up and service of group
• Constantly monitor staff performance in all phases of service and job functions, ensuring that all procedures are carried out to departmental standards and as requested on the B.E.O.’s; bring any deficiencies with respective department personnel
• Maintain Communication between client and operations team
• Inspect all meal periods and be present until entrée course is served for all plated functions
• Assist staff with their job functions to ensure optimum cleanliness and service standards for guests
• Coordinate group's requests for additions/changes to scheduled arrangements
• Direct the final breakdown of function room and clean up
• Monitor storage and delivery of group packages
• Maintain a personal organization system for files and paperwork within departmental guidelines
• Contact clients after scheduled functions to ensure guest satisfaction and to solicit re-bookings.
• Attend daily B.E.O. review meetings; resolve any discrepancies.
• Attend designated meetings, menu and wine tastings.
• Foster and promote a cooperative working climate, maximizing productivity and employee morale.
• Full knowledge of the event menus and ability to upsell
• Manage all deposits and billing for all clients through until final bill is paid